ELA Selection test 2 Grade 9

Read the blog entry “The Alaska Start III,” which was written by a
former director of the Census Bureau. Then answer questions.
The Alaska Start III
by Robert Groves

1 We flew to Noorvik mid-morning on Monday, January 25, a

10-seat plane—full of state dignitaries. The temperature at
landing was a balmy 7°F. The one-strip airport is about
one mile from the village. There were two dog sleds nearby,
one for the lieutenant governor and one for me. My musher
was a 12-year-old student, who, after we moved out of the
congestion of the airport, stopped and allowed me to mush
the team for a bit of time. Great fun; the lead dog was
instantly responsive to his commands, and even though my
training was limited to about 45 seconds, it was a blast.

2 We arrived at the school to see the entire student body out

on the portico of the school, applauding the arrival of the
census to Noorvik (wouldn’t it be great if every city in the
US greeted census workers with such enthusiasm?). I met the
elders of the village, who were assembled in the Inupiat
culture room, now used to instruct the children in their native
language.

3 We visited a few classrooms where I found that the kids

were totally on top of why the census is done, how often it’s
done, and how it benefits the country.

4 I also participated in a few satellite uplink interviews with

various media, accompanied by a 12th grade student who
talked about how the census fits into Noorvik’s future.
5 At 1 p.m., I rode with the mayor of Noorvik on an ATV to visit
the very first household to be enumerated in the 2010 Census.
I knocked on the door and was ushered in. We
completed the interview in just a few minutes; I exited to see a
whole slew of press people down the road. I was happy to
announce, “One down; 309 million more to go!”

6 I returned to the school, which is clearly the hub of social

activity in the small village, to have lunch with the school
children. More interviews with press; a large gathering in the
gymnasium with the entire village assembled; an exchange of
gifts; speeches; native dancing.

7 The 2010 Census has begun—in a remote village of Alaska,

with one household, and the support and love of the
thousands of residents. It will continue for several months—in
big cities, in small towns, in institutions, among the
homeless, for the rich, and for the poor.

8 The country is on its way to being counted!

Question 1: Part A
Which statement is supported by evidence found in the blog
entry?
A. The people of Noorvik feel the census is important to their
village.
B. The census in Noorvik will be finished quickly.
C. Noorvik was chosen by the Census Bureau because of its
unusual weather.
D. The village of Noorvik is easily reached by travelers.

Part B
Which evidence from the blog entry supports the answer to
Part A?
A. “The temperature at landing was a balmy 7°F.” (paragraph 1)
B. “The one-strip airport is about one mile from the village.”
(paragraph 1)
C. “. . . accompanied by a 12th grade student who talked about
how the census fits
into Noorvik’s future.” (paragraph 4)
D. “. . . see a whole slew of press people down the road.”
(paragraph 5)

Question 2: Part A
Based on the information in the blog entry, what is the main
responsibility of a census taker?
A. to research effective educational programs for small villages
B. to gather data about people across the nation
C. to choose which families receive important visitors
D. to report on how residents survive in remote areas

Part B
Which activity discussed in the blog entry illustrates the main
responsibility of a census taker?
A. accompanying important government officials
B. speaking with students in classrooms
C. visiting households to collect information with the help of
residents
D. exchanging gifts with village residents

Question 3: Part A
What is the author’s main purpose for writing the blog entry
“The Alaska Start III”?
A. to defend the census process to people who are critical of it
B. to provide a description of how one group of citizens
responded to the census
C. to instruct census workers on the correct way to collect
information from citizens
D. to provide specific benefits of participating in the census
Part B
Which quotation from the blog best expresses the author’s
purpose for writing?
A. “We flew to Noorvik mid-morning on Monday, January 25, a 10-
seat plane—full of state dignitaries.” (paragraph 1)
B. “I met the elders of the village, who were assembled in the
Inupiat culture room, now used to instruct the children in their
native language.” (paragraph 2)
C. “I returned to the school, which is clearly the hub of social
activity in the small village, to have lunch with the school children.”
(paragraph 6)
D. “More interviews with press; a large gathering in the
gymnasium with the entire village assembled; an exchange of
gifts; speeches; native dancing.” (paragraph 6)

Vocabularies

1) According to the federal …………., all citizens must pay taxes to

the national government.

A. antics
B. banter
C. edicts
D. glut

2) The critic will ………... the popular movie as one of the best of
its time.
A. berate
B. laud
C. transfix
D. consume
3) She couldn't help but ………… herself for not studying harder
when she failed the exam
A. berate
B. laud
C. venerate
D. invalidate

4) Downtown Westerly is usually …………. with traffic and people

on a typical Friday afternoon.

A. maimed
B. avowed
C. congested
D. bountiful

Grammar

1. Dad is going bald his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

A. correct as is

B. Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

C. Dad is going; bald his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

D. Dad is going bald his hair is getting thinner; and thinner.

2. You need new brakes otherwise you may not be able to

stop in time.

A. correct as is

B. You need new brakes, otherwise; you may not be able to

stop in time.

C. You need new brakes; otherwise, you may not be able

to stop in time.

D. You need new brakes, otherwise, you may not be able to

stop in time.
3. We had too many fumbles; we lost the game.

A. correct as is

B. We had; too many fumbles we lost the game.

C. We had too many fumbles, we lost the game.

D. We had too many; fumbles we lost the game.

4. Some have pictures on them the flag of California, for

example, shows a bear.

A. correct as is

B. Some have pictures on them the flag of California; for

example, shows a bear.

C. Some have pictures on them; the flag of California for

example shows a bear.

D. Some have pictures on them; the flag of California, for

example, shows a bear.

5. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3 the year was

1959.

A. correct as is

B. Alaska became the 49th; state on January 3 the year was

1959.

C. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3; the year

was 1959.

D. Alaska became the 49th, state on January, 3; the year was

1959.